ANASTASIA Broadway Cast Confirmed, Set for Broadhurst Theatre - Spring 2017

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/185304/anastasia-starring-christy-altomare-derek-klena-more-sets-broadway-dates-theater/

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/altomare-klena-anastasia-broadway-casting_77610.html

Updated On: 6/28/16 at 10:02 AM

Interesting that they don't list Mary Beth Peil. I wonder if they're bringing in Angie for the Broadway run (wishful thinking - I know!)

Oh dear, here comes Mister Wet Blanket.



First, Altomire is a talented performer but she is an ingenue and the role needs to be a young leading lady, one with "a past" and some mystery. Altomire is miscast.



Then cut the first act and expand the second making the show about Anya and her Grandmother rather than just another by-meets-girl musical. I did not really care about the young couple. I did care about the Dowager Empress dealing with all she had lost and possible redemption through Anya. Now there's a story.



I also feel the work that is on the stage is sub-standard. I expect better from McNally, Ahrens and Flaherty. The material needs more than just tweaking.This would require a major overhaul and not one that can be done in 9-10 months.



I do not have high hopes for this transfer as it stands.

@Neon: I disagree, but that's alright. To each his own. I certainly won't be surprised or overly unhappy if Peil continues with the show, but I do think I would like Lansbury's performance much more than Peil's.

Updated On: 6/28/16 at 10:30 AM

I absolutely loved Mary Beth Peil as the Empress. She was elegant, powerful, and heartbreaking. But, I would also be just as happy (and more excited) if Angela steps in to recreate her role. I'm just lucky I saw Mary Beth.

Esther, I couldn't disagree with you more.

Christy has one of the best performances I've ever seen. I don't think they're aiming for the movie Anastasia (I have mixed feelings), but Christy makes Anya her own. She's timid and emotionally fragile as a victim of losing her family and forgetting all about them. But, she's endearing and believable when we see Anya get the confidence she needs to see the Empress. Her Journey to the Past is one of the greatest things I have heard on stage.

It sounds like you haven't seen the movie. The plot of the show mostly follows the plot of the movie when means there is the couple and the Empress disappearing and appearing.

Esther, you're wrong. On multiple counts.

Updated On: 6/28/16 at 11:00 AM

I do think it's actually wrong? The show does not require a significant overhaul. I've seen a lot of out of town tryouts in my life, and this was one of the better ones. Christy Altomare (spelling, by the way) is not miscast. Esther also seems to not understand the definition of ingénue vs leading lady. They're not mutually exclusive.

Anastasia aka Anya has amnesia. She doesn't remember her past. How is she expected to "Show" her past and be mysterious when she doesn't remember it? Asking for a show about the Dowager Empress is not what Anastasia is. That's not Anastasia's story, that would be a completely different show, as I said. Anastasia has no relationship with her.

Esther also fails to provide details about what is sub standard from the creative team. Is that better?

Updated On: 6/28/16 at 11:07 AM

I think the Gleb work that needs to be done isn't Manoel's fault, so I hope he'll continue. We'll see.

CarlAlan610 said: "I agree the problems with Gleb lay with the writers not Manoel. Did Ramin play the role in the reading last year?



"

he did.

^ LOL

The rest of what I said is a fundamental misunderstanding by that poster of what the show is. But sure, nitpick what I said to side with the troll.

Updated On: 6/28/16 at 12:47 PM